ORLANDO, Fla. - Former Saint Leo University Vice President Director of Athletics Francis Reidy has been selected to enter the Sunshine State Conference as a member of the Class of 2025. Reidy will represent Saint Leo University in the newest class of inductees on Saturday, October 4, 2025 during the SSC Hall of Fame brunch and celebration. The event will take place in Miami Shores on the campus of Barry University.

Joining Reidy in the SSC's 25th Hall of Fame class are Beverly "Bev" Buckley (Rollins, women's tennis Head Coach), Bill Evers (Eckerd, baseball), Bill Jurgens (Florida Tech, Athletic Director), Gregory Malfitano (Lynn, Senior Major Gift Officer), Pete Meyer (Florida Southern, baseball Head Coach / Athletic Director), Stephanie Quinones (Nova Southeastern, women's soccer), Daniel Stapf (Barry, men's golf), Carolyn Stone (Palm Beach Atlantic, Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics), and Ronald L. Vaughn (Tampa, University President).

Reidy retired from his position as vice president and director of athletics at Saint Leo University after more than 35 years of service. Reidy, who led the Saint Leo Lions to win 30 Sunshine State Conference championships, earn two national championships, and make 125 NCAA Division II championship appearances, retired in August of 2023.

When Reidy became director of athletics in 1999, the Lions had gone nearly 30 years with no conference championship wins, and many sports were at the bottom of the Sunshine State Conference. But that all changed in 2005 when the men's soccer team won the conference championship, paving the way for more victories within the athletics program to follow.

In addition to winning several championships, the Lions placed in the Learfield Directors' Cup Top 10 for NCAA Division II three times, including an amazing second place finish in 2015-2016. The Lions also won the Mayor's Cup four times, recognizing the Lions as the best overall Sunshine State Conference program.

Reidy's contributions to intercollegiate athletics also include serving as president of the D2 ADA; the NCAA Championships Committee, with one year of service as chair; and the NCAA Men's Basketball Committee, which he also chaired for year. He also made valuable contributions to the Sunshine State Conference.

On top of his competitive success, Reidy has been the recipient of many industry awards. He was recognized three times as the Under Armour National Athletic Director of the Year and was honored as coach of the year two times by the Sunshine State Conference. He also remains in the Saint Leo record books for the work he accomplished in his first role at the university as men's soccer coach. Reidy is the all-time winningest coach in Saint Leo men's soccer history with 139 wins.

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